--(www.USEquityNews.com)-- 06/18/2008 - Healthcare Technology industry alert provided by U.S. Equity News. Davita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), which operates kidney dialysis centers, spent $1.2 million on lobbying in the first quarter, according to a recent disclosure form. The El Segundo, Calif.-based company lobbied on bills that control how the government pays for kidney dialysis services, according to form filed April 21 with the House clerk's office. DaVita has a huge stake in policies that affect dialysis reimbursement since the government pays for the care of nearly all 390,000 people in the U.S. on dialysis. Lawmakers are putting the finishing touches on legislation that would change how the government pays for Amgen Inc.'s anemia drug Epogen, a $2.5 billion product used exclusively in kidney dialysis centers.
Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABPI) announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for an approximate $8.5 million private placement offering of Secured Convertible Debentures and common stock purchase Warrants to existing institutional investors. Rodman & Renshaw, LLC, a subsidiary of Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc. acted as the exclusive placement agent. The closing of the definitive agreements is expected to take place recently subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions. Accentia intends to use the proceeds to support development, regulatory and partnering strategies for SinuNase(TM) and Revimmune(TM) and support general operations.
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (RXi) (NASDAQ: RXII), recently announced Company presentations at the 2008 BIO International Convention taking place June 17-20 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA. In addition to a general corporate update on June 18th, Dr. Woolf is expected to comment on the recent signing by Governor Deval Patrick, of the landmark, Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative, a bill which will provide approximately $1 billion over the next 10 years for Massachusetts' life sciences industry. Dr. Woolf noted, "The signing of this bill is an important event for the life science industry in Massachusetts and in particular, for the future of RNAi research. In addition to other key initiatives, the bill provides no less than $90 million for the creation of an advanced therapeutics cluster to be built and located at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School in Worcester, including a proposed RNAi institute."
TapImmune Inc. (OTCBB: TPIM), a biotechnology company specializing in the development of immunotherapeutics for cancer and vaccines for infectious diseases, announced that an independent third party research article in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology has confirmed and corroborated that a TAP incorporated vaccine should be considered as a therapy for the treatment of cancer, in this case, Melanoma. The article, in advance online publication 3 April 2008, titled, "Restoration of the Expression of Transporters Associated with Antigen Processing in Human Malignant Melanoma Increases Tumor-Specific Immunity," is yet another promising research study that confirms and corroborates the TAP incorporated vaccine. There is now a vast amount of research data supporting and corroborating the initial description of the promising effect of TAP as a cancer therapy and their effect on tumor recognition. For more information, please visit www.stocksjournal.com.
About U.S. Equity News
U.S. Equity News provides information, resources and news services for investors of small-cap, micro-cap and emerging companies. U.S. Equity News distributes RSS news feeds and a free subscription-based newsletter available through its website at www.usequitynews.com.
U.S. Equity News is a financial news distribution service by Equity Solutions, Inc. (www.equityirsolutions.com) that provides a platform for public companies to disseminate important news to key Wall Street interest such as shareholders and new investors. Equity Solutions, Inc. can assist by providing an effective increase in the awareness of a public company's news, development and corporate story through its proprietary network and its financial portal. U.S. Equity News and its affiliates charge each client cash for news distribution and may take an equity position in the companies mentioned herein, please visit the disclaimer at www.USEquityNews.com.
